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Raytheon Unveils OMK STEM grant

February 7, 2018

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McLean, Virginia – A Raytheon grant awarded to Our Military Kids will pay for science, technology, engineering and math programs for children whose parents were severely injured during military service, deployed overseas or are in the National Guard or Military Reserves. This effort will boost the mission of Our Military Kids to fund after-school enrichment activities for youth and inspire them to pursue STEM careers.

“This is a wonderful effort that will enrich the lives of our military families and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM,” said Linda Davidson, founder of Our Military Kids. The grant will provide up to $500 per child to take classes in subjects like lego robotics, computer science, engineering and math.

Nearly two million American children have a parent serving in the military, and these youngsters face special challenges growing up. The grant will benefit children in Colorado Springs, CO, Fort Walton Beach, FL, Hampton, VA, Huntsville, AL and the Greater Washington, DC area.

“Raytheon is committed to supporting military families by delivering opportunities that ease some of the challenges that come with military commitment,” said Pam Erickson, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Raytheon. “Teaming with the Our Military Kids organization will directly impact the day-to-day experiences of military kids across the country by opening up new possibilities for learning and play – the building blocks of confidence, self esteem and teamwork.”

Launched in 2004, Our Military Kids was started by Davidson as a way to say thank you to families of Guard and Reserve personnel who endured lengthy and repeated deployments. In 2008, the group expanded to include children of severely injured service members.  Since its inception, Our Military Kids has provided almost 60,000 grants.

Our Military Kids has helped kids across the country engage in a wide range of STEM activities – from sea camp at the Texas State Aquarium to flight school with the Colorado Civil Air patrol.  Last year, Our Military Kids provided Michigan high schooler Paul Kovacic a grant to travel with his robotics team to St. Louis, MO, where they won the semi-world championship of the international high school robotics competition.  The grant enabled Kovacic – whose father was deployed to the Middle East – to pursue an activity that kept him engaged after school.  Kovacic now is studying mechanical engineering at Michigan Tech University on an academic scholarship.

“These kids deserve extra support,” Davidson said.  “We can help them ease the stress and anxiety of having a parent deployed to a war zone through positive, structured activities.”  Our Military Kids provides eligible children up to $500 per grant for each deployment lasting at least 180 days. For more information, visit the website at www.ourmilitarykids.org.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Follow us on Twitter.

About Out Military Kids

Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit providing substantial support to children of deployed National Guard and Military Reserve service members and to children of wounded warriors from all active and reserve military branches.

 

 

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